First Whatcom County resident dies from COVID-19

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A Whatcom County resident has died from the coronavirus.

The Whatcom County Health Department says the man in his 60s was a patient at PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center.

The hospital confirmed that proper respiratory precautions were used while he was in their care and the health department is working to identify all those who may have come in contact with him.

The department says that while most cases of COVID-19 are mild to moderate, approximately 15 percent of people infected will have serious illness.